Aston Martin reveals big 2021 goal in first F1 season against ‘formidable’ rivals

Can Aston Martin beat Ferrari and McLaren in the first season in Formula 1? That’s the goal, says team boss Otmar Szafnauer in an exclusive interview ahead of the 2021 season with Sky Sports; Watch the full interview below

Aston Martin boss Otmar Szafnauer said the newly renamed squad were aiming for a coveted third in the Championship this season, but were wary of their “formidable” rivals – as well as “significant” car changes of 2021.

After moving from Racing Point to Aston Martin – marking the return of the famous British car brand to the F1 grid for the first time in 61 years – the team has big ambitions, especially after signing the quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel to partner with Lance Stroll.

Szafnauer has already revealed their intention to become a “top team,” but in their first season as Aston Martin, the Silverstone side are aiming for a feat they narrowly missed in 2020 – third place and F1’s best midfielder.

“That will be the target for us,” Szafnauer told Sky Sports’ Craig Slater in an exclusive interview. “But I don’t think it’s going to be easy – we have some great competition there.”

Aston Martin’s team manager cited two major threats in particular; historically the most successful teams in F1. One that is rebuilding itself after a far below par season, and one that propelled Racing Point to third in the final race of 2020.

“Ferrari, of course, will work hard during the winter to do better than last year,” Szafnauer added. “McLaren has a new [Mercedes] powertrain, the same as we have and I’m sure they did it for the sake of competitiveness.

“And there are also pilot movements, so we’ll see how it all plays out. So there are differences.”

Szafnauer also said the changes to the car in 2021 – which aren’t as drastic as previous seasons but still lead to major redesigns – could make a big difference in the pecking order.

“They took off big chunks of the ground so that we lost our downforce, and depending on how the teams get that downforce back, that will have a big impact.

How similar will the Aston Martin car be to Racing Point’s?

Racing Point made the headlines last season, and was even penalized, for designing its 2020 car – and more specifically the brake ducts – too similar to the 2019 F1 world champion Mercedes and its suppliers. of engines.

Szafnauer said of the 2021 Aston Martin car: “Philosophically speaking, driving a low-rake car is the same.

“[But there are] significant aerodynamic changes – and because of that we had to redevelop everything. “

He also revealed that the team has designed a new chassis despite the postponement of 2020.

“This is the first time that a carry-over car has a lot of new parts,” he said. “Although the philosophy is postponed, we will still have a lot of new parts on the car, a lot of aerodynamic development and even a new chassis for us too.

“Although the car is similar to last year, it is mostly new.”